Fig. 11.

SF based matrices used for typical soft tissue regeneration. (A) A piece of urethra mucosa (about 3 ​cm ​× ​1 ​cm) was excised (black arrow) for the construction of canine urethra defect model. (B) Tissue-engineered mucosa base on stretched electrospun silk fibroin matrices (SESFMs) was positioned into the urethra defect and an F8 catheter was inserted into the urethra (black arrow). (C) Micrographs of the histologic staining (AE1/AE3 IHC) of corresponding urethra tissue (200 ​× ​). (D) Schematic illustration of the suturing of the aligned and growth factor loaded RSF matrices and two cavernous nerve (CN) end. (E) Gross view of the implantation of RSF matrices in rat model. Exposed major pelvic ganglion (MPG, black arrow), pelvic nerve (PN, green arrow), hypogastric nerve (HN, white arrow) and CN (yellow arrow). (F) Gross view of the implantation of RSF matrices in rat model. Establishing CN gap (yellow arrow) with a length of 5 ​mm using scissors. (G) Statistical results of the vessel densities from corresponding immunohistochemical staining micrographs. (H) Statistical results of the NF-200 positive contents of cavernous nerve fibers from corresponding immunohistochemical staining micrographs. “∗”: p ​< ​0.05. Images (A)–(C) were reproduced with permission [139]. Copyright 2013, Elsevier Ltd. Images (D)–(H) were modified with permission [31]. Copyright 2016, American Chemical Society.